He brushed off criticisms of the Mahdi militia, saying members simply want their lives to improve.

I can't imagine it's not hurting the Mahdi militia in some way.

Suspicions focused on the Mahdi militia.

I know who likes Mahdi militia, and I know who hates them.

They successfully mediated in 2004, when the Mahdi militia fought the British in an uprising across Iraq's south inspired by Mr. Sadr.

Most condemn the killing, which they attribute to the Mahdi militia.

Shiite militia commanders say Moktada al-Sadr, the firebrand Shiite cleric, has told his Mahdi militia to lie low for now.

The suspects were young men, wearing black - the uniform of the Mahdi militia.

At the same time, the negotiations over the Mahdi militia, along with the arrest or flight of several commanders, appear to have led to a temporary truce.

"Now the Americans are taking our weapons, and when they leave, the Mahdi militia will attack."